The Chief of the Czech General Staff, Karel Řehka, plans to recommend to the government that 30 T-72M4CZ tanks, currently being refurbished by the state enterprise VOP CZ, be delivered to Ukraine.
According to Radio Prague International, cited by Ukrinform, the Czech Ministry of Defense notes that the decision to modernize the T-72M4CZ tanks was made long before the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war began. After basic component upgrades, the tanks were originally intended for use by the Czech Armed Forces until new tanks could be acquired.
Currently, the Czech army operates German Leopard 2A4 tanks, and a decision has been made to accelerate the purchase of Leopard 2A8s.
Chief of the General Staff Řehka stated that to ensure the investment in refurbishing the T-72M4CZ tanks is justified, he intends, “in accordance with the security interests of our country,” to recommend that the government donate these vehicles to Ukraine.
